08.18.08
No One Will Touch Legder’s Last Movie, Even Though They Haven’t Seen It?
Whenever a Terry Gilliam film is released, it’s a risky affair. They are never quite box-office or critical hits, and even the supernatural would rather he stayed away from the medium of film as well. He hasn’t had a hit since 1995, and now apparently distributors want nothing to do with his latest project. Even though Heath Ledger did help make “The Dark Knight” the 2nd highest grossing film of all time in the United States, word is that the “Ledger Effect” might not play out the same way with Gilliam’s “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.” [Hollywood Reporter]
When Ledger died of an accidental overdoes in January of this year, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell stepped in to offer there assistance in completing the role, as filming had not yet wrapped, that was rewritten so that the character would continuously shape shift. I don’t know about you, but it certainly sounds like it would be a tough sell.
“In this market, unless I have a reason to think a movie like this is going to be a slam dunk I’m not going to take a flyer on it, even with Heath Ledger,” an anonymous distribution exec who apparently has not seen the film told Hollywood Reporter, and then another anonymous insider added that the film is a Gilliam picture and you always have to be wary of those. So no one’s actually seen it? Hm.
Made on a minuscule budget of $20 million, just like “Synecdoche, New York” which eventually did secure a deal with Sony Classics, studios remain uninterested – but perhaps they will change their tune for a lower buying price? All this is news somehow, the film is not a commercial effort by any means, but I would have expected Ledger to lure prospective buyers. He might still, you know, when they actually see the film.
Kerry said,
August 18, 2008 at 8:25 pm
It’s not like it is a comic-adaptation or anything, but I would think that it being Ledger’s last film ever would have some sort of effect on its distribution sale. Gilliam or not, it’s Legder’s final performance ever and that means that a WHOLE lot of people will flock to see it, no doubt about it.
Devlin said,
August 18, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Gilliam has my money. Done and done.
Cinematically-Correct.com said,
August 18, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Jeez…if I could scrape up the cash to distribute this movie I would do it. How can you not jump all over a movie that can put “Depp”, “Law”, “Farrell”, & “Ledger” in huge letters on the poster?
Nick Plowman said,
August 18, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Exactly! I am so with you there man, I get so excited even talking about the film. Darn studios.
Caitlin said,
August 18, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Given all the hype over Ledger and all the press this film received when he died, you’d think someone would be gambling on it. Not to mention (as other people up have said) that the amount of “name” actors in it should be enough to sell it to the general public.
J.D. said,
August 18, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I’d see it.
Nick Plowman said,
August 18, 2008 at 9:50 pm
They fact that no one is, is really odd to me Cait – but I think it is only a matter of time before someone picks it up. Not all studios can be that dumb.
As would I JD, as would I.
Kerry said,
August 18, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I’d see it too, duh. Who the hell wouldn’t? That’s what I want to know.
Studios could care less about Terry Gilliam’s ‘Parnassus’ said,
August 18, 2008 at 10:19 pm
[...] Plowman points us today to a Hollywood Reporter story (and really, we needed the heads up in this case…anyone [...]
Sam Juliano said,
August 18, 2008 at 10:21 pm
The companies are insane. Not only does this have terrific artistic potential with Gilliam at the helm, but it is surefire box office for reasons I need not get into.
Dave said,
August 19, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I couldn’t agree more Sam.
Daniel said,
August 19, 2008 at 7:48 pm
I’ll see it for sure. How can Ledger’s performance in TDK not get this one through? Does anybody think he would do lesser work after that?
Nick Plowman said,
August 19, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I’m sure it will make a fair bit of money based on the Ledger aspect, so I don’t get why studios are all that wary of the film. As for Ledger, I don’t know. I’m sure his performance will be a good one, but topping his Joker will be tough, I think.
Daniel said,
August 19, 2008 at 8:11 pm
No way he can top it, but if you look at his role selection over the last few years (most of which are Oscar-worthy), this one should be no different. He should have been considered box office gold after Brokeback.